Subject: The ronin Tominomori Suke-emon Masakata (kabuki name) – showing superb technique, with coals and ash flying everywhere, we see him deflecting a charcoal brazier (hibachi) thrown by the acolyte Suzuki Shochiku
Series: Seichu gishi den (Stories of the true loyalty of the faithful samurai)
Print No: 1.27
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)
Signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga and kiri seal
Date: 1847-48
Cens: Mera – Murata
Publisher: Ebi-ya Rinnosuke
Size: Oban tate-e, 36 x 24.8 cm
Condition: Fine impression, with hand applied ink ‘spray’ to emulate flying ash, only found in early impressions. Very good colour and condition. Un-numbered state
Price: Not for sale at this stage
True name: Tominomori Suke-emon Masayori (富森 助右衛門 正因)
Age: 34
Katana mei: Tomokuni, length 2 shaku 8 sun
Wakizashi mei: Mitsushige, length unknown + Long yari
The tale of the text – with a little twist
Tominomori Masakata had a lot on his plate: a fallen clan, a newborn baby, no income, and a secret revenge plot. Most people in that situation would take up pottery or move somewhere quiet. Masakata instead teamed up with Oboshi and started planning a high‑stakes midnight raid like it was the world’s most intense side hustle.
He was a devoted son, too. His mother adored their lord, and his father was basically the family’s diplomatic courier. His mother didn’t know a thing about the revenge plan—probably for the best, since she would’ve insisted on packing snacks. Masakata, sentimental warrior that he was, decided he needed to wear a piece of her clothing into battle. Nothing says “fear me” like charging into combat with your mum’s sleeve tucked under your armor.
On the night of the attack, the snow sparkled, the moon shone like a spotlight, and the cedar gate was demolished with the subtlety of a festival drum. Masakata burst in yelling, “Make way for the men of En’ya Hangan! We want Moronao’s head!”—which is one way to introduce yourself.
He fought brilliantly, tossing out the password “River” like he was playing a very violent game of call‑and‑response. His technique dazzled. His opponents had no idea who he was, only that he was terrifying and apparently immune to hesitation.
Then someone threw a hibachi at him. A whole hibachi. Coals, ash, the works. Masakata inhaled half a fireplace but kept going, because nothing ruins a revenge mission like stopping to sneeze.
Meanwhile, the defenders were running around half‑naked and panicked, while the Akao warriors looked like armored nightmares. The attackers cut down everyone except two survivors. Later, they decided the hibachi‑thrower was an acolyte named Suzuki Shochiku, who must have woken up that morning expecting a normal day and ended up inventing improvised hibachi warfare.
Masakata, soot‑covered and unstoppable, proved himself one of the raid’s fiercest—and most dramatically accessorized—warriors.
For an accurate translation of the print text, I would encourage you to get the book: Kuniyoshi -The faithful samurai by David R Weinberg.